Our monographic and systematic research covers three broad areas of crustacean diversity: (1) the order Leptostraca (families Nebaliopsidae, Nebaliidae, Paranebaliidae); (2) the branchiopod order Conchostraca (family Leptestheriidae); and (3) the order Decapoda (family Brachyura).

The order Leptostraca contains small (5-45 mm) marine detritivores and scavengers of ecological importance and phylogenetic significance. The group appears to be nearly ubiquitous in marine environments and yet taxonomic knowledge is extremely limited.

The brachyuran family Trapeziidae comprises 12 genera and 53 species generally known as "coral crabs". These obligate coral symbionts are found throughout tropical reefs from the Red Sea to the eastern Pacific Ocean. The majority of trapeziid crabs inhabit shallow-water branching scleractinian corals, but some species are symbionts of deep-water soft corals, antipatharians (black corals), or ahermatypic scleractinians.

The Conchostraca (clam shrimp) are members of the class Branchiopoda, an ancient and presumed primitive lineage, first appearing in the middle Cambrian. All clam shrimp are restricted to freshwater, ephemeral pond habitats and are thus species of special conservation concern.

Crustacea belong to the phylum Arthropoda, the most diverse group of Metazoa (multicellular animals) on Earth. Their closest relatives are the myriapods (e.g., centipedes, millipedes) , chelicerates (e.g., spiders, ticks, mites), and the hexapods (insects). More than 52,000 species of crabs, shrimps, lobsters and their close relatives have been described; that figure is twice the number of all amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals combined! More information

Please feel free to contact us any time should you have questions about research and education activities in our laboratories.

Follow the link below to view of list of the presentations and publications that have been supported fully or in part by our NSF PEET award. Click on any item in the menu below:

Students participate in a 5-year program that entails research at laboratories of UCLA and NHMLAC.

Exceptional coursework and instructional opportunities are available at both institutions; this includes the integration of museum-based monographic and taxonomic research overseen by Martin with modern systematic and molecular laboratory training guided by Jacobs. The strength of our training program lies in such collaboration and our unique ability to introduce students to overall crustacean diversity; each student is becoming well versed on the group as a whole, in addition to becoming a specialist in one or more families or orders.

As projects progress, each website will include:

Click on the image below to open a new window with a list of links to related sites. The list will include links to museums, research societies, and general aspects of the biology of Crustacea.

Mola artwork, showing a crab.